Three weeks ahead of the official start of Karneval season, there was a real party atmosphere at the Mewa Arena as Mainz beat Köln 5-0. Three goals down by the half time interval and with a man less due to Luca Kilian’s red card, Köln were really up against it and had to succumb to a chastening loss. Mainz move up to third in the table overnight with their first home win of the season.
In our regular feature, we take a closer look at what can be taken away from Friday’s match.
1. Köln concede first again (and then again and again!)
Köln have made a habit of conceding the first goal this season with it happening eight times prior to tonight’s game this season. On six previous occasions they have managed to turn things around, but tonight it was a step too far with a man less and they were sent back home to dwell on a heavy 5-0 defeat that could have been even heavier with Mainz having two goals ruled out in the second 45 minutes.
2. Unhappy return to Mainz for Luca Kilian.
It was an unhappy return to Mainz for Köln central defender Luca Kilian as the former Nullfünfer was sent off after just 28 minutes. He was caught out by the pace of Karim Onisiwo in the 11th minute pulling back the Mainz striker for a penalty, which was dispatched for a 1-0 home lead.
Kilian then naively shoulder charged Onisiwo off the side of the pitch leaving the referee little choice other than to issue a second yellow card. The 23-year-old spent the 2020-21 season at Mainz after joining from Paderborn but made just 8 appearances. His return was short-lived and ultimately expensive for the Billy Goats.
3. Just call Marcus Ingvartsen ‘Mr. Prolific’.
Since being given a starting berth in the Mainz frontline, Danish striker Marcus Ingvartsen hasn’t stopped scoring. The 26-year-old now has four goals in four games after scoring from the penalty spot to open the scoring tonight. He scored in the midweek Pokal win over VfB Lübeck as well as in the last two Bundesliga outings against RB Leipzig and Werder Bremen.
4. Mainz end their home drought
The Mainz fans were certainly due a win after going the whole season without one. They would have taken a 1-0 but were treated to a spectacular 5-0 drubbing giving them plenty so sing about and a joint biggest Bundesliga win. Mainz 05 became Mainz 5-0 to rack up their first home three points in glorious style.
They face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena next week and will certainly go to Bavaria full of confidence.
5. Bo Svensson wants the season to end tonight
The Bundesliga table will surely change by the end of the weekend, but Mainz coach Bo Svensson would be voting in favour if there was a vote to stop the season here and allocate the European places. Mainz finish Friday in third and if the season ends now would be one of the German Champions League participants. Mainz Fans can at least dream!
